Old hustler at hard times

leonkush

leonkush

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
About 5 years ago I was playing at the monthly 9ball competition at Hard Times in Belflower and was drawn against a really old man about 80 whose wife was in a wheel chair. He wheeled his wife over to watch the match and promptly beat me, which surprised me as I was playing pro at the time and really into my game.

I was wondering if anyone knows his name because I swear at the time I recalled reading it the the Hustler Days book.

Thanks

Leon
 
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leonkush said:
About 5 years ago I was playing at the monthly 9ball competition at Hard Times in Belflower and was drawn against a really old man about 80 whose wife was in a wheel chair. He wheeled his wife over to watch the match and promptly beat me, which surprised me as I was playing pro at the time and really into my game.

I was wondering if anyone knows his name because I swear at the time I recalled reading it the the Hustler Days book.

Thanks

Leon
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I don't know who he is, but I've seen him playing in quite a few tournaments, probably about 3-4 years ago. I've definitely seen the guy that you are talking about playing at Hollywood Billiards, so I'm guessing he's from Southern California.
 
Same guy beat me 25 years ago in Pittsburgh. He ain't natural. :yikes: He don't age......:eek:

He played with a JOSS like mine. Not kidding. Same exact thing.....really old, at least 80......wife, wheel chair, and all.....25 years ago.......spooky......
 
leonkush said:
About 5 years ago I was playing at the monthly 9ball competition at Hard Times in Belflower and was drawn against a really old man about 80 whose wife was in a wheel chair. He wheeled his wife over to watch the match and promptly beat me, which surprised me as I was playing pro at the time and really into my game.

I was wondering if anyone knows his name because I swear at the time I recalled reading it the the Hustler Days book.

Thanks

Leon
Click to expand...

Sounds like Vince from Seattle. Good man and good player. I doubt he is near 80 but he is a senior LOL.

You are liable to see him and his wife at any tournament in the country.
 
If it's the guy I'm thinking of (a HardTimes regular) watch out if you ever play him again. He's got more moves than Barry Sanders.
 
leonkush said:
About 5 years ago I was playing at the monthly 9ball competition at Hard Times in Belflower and was drawn against a really old man about 80 whose wife was in a wheel chair. He wheeled his wife over to watch the match and promptly beat me, which surprised me as I was playing pro at the time and really into my game.

I was wondering if anyone knows his name because I swear at the time I recalled reading it the the Hustler Days book.

Thanks

Leon
Click to expand...

That would be Jerry Decker - AKA "the snooker God". And yes he does play at a high level. He started off as a snooker player and loves to play safe. Jerry is captain of our tue. nite 8 ball team. We have been friends for over 45 years.
 
That answer took longer than I thought it would. Jerry and his wife have been long time fixtures here in So. Calif.

Hope things are going well for you Ken.
Charlie Brown
 
Jerry Decker

Jerry is a regular at a lot of pool events.

Did real well at last year's Rum Runner event - 5/6th I think.

Real nice guy and I wish the pool world had another 1000 like him.

Mark Griffin
 
Jerry from the Riverside area

No one should be taking Jerry lightly or they risk getting thumped by this fella. Ask me how I know.
 
Was this guy a Road player back in 99-00 by any chance?? I remember getting beat out of 100 at 10 a game against this old man that never missed... Nothing fancy at all just center ball shots. Never juiced the cue.
 
jrhendy said:
Sounds like Vince from Seattle. Good man and good player. I doubt he is near 80 but he is a senior LOL.

You are liable to see him and his wife at any tournament in the country.
Click to expand...



I also know Vince, he has come into my pool room a couple of times. The last time he was here he was with Harry Plattis, during an exhibition match where Harry was playing Grady Mathews.

I think Vinces last name is Franney, I may not be spelling it right, also your right Vince is no where near 80 years old at least he does not look it.

Take Care
 
RunoutJJ said:
Was this guy a Road player back in 99-00 by any chance?? I remember getting beat out of 100 at 10 a game against this old man that never missed... Nothing fancy at all just center ball shots. Never juiced the cue.
Click to expand...

It's funny someone mentions this...I asked about Jerry Decker earlier this year at the Rum Runner and there was gentleman that told me Jerry used to run with an Old Timer back in the day...Can't remember the person who told me and I can't remember the Old Timer. If I heard the name I would recongnize it right away. The Old Timer is pretty well known. I say Old Timer but, then again, they were probably the same age. I'm talkin way back! Mark, Jay...maybe you can help me out with this?

What I do know is Mr. Decker can still play...I ran into him in the Saturday night Barbox tournament a while back at Mr. Luckys in Torrance and got schooled. He ran out on me!
 
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